Google’s Pixel smartphones are the primary to stand up to 7 years of software program updates, however it’s a special case with the Pixel smartwatches, which solely get 3 years of main Put on OS updates. Regardless of the third technology of the Pixel smartwatch, this has not modified in any respect, giving the brand new Pixel Watch 3 a shorter replace coverage than its opponents.
Google unveiled the Pixel Watch 3 alongside the Pixel 9 (overview), however the smartwatch isn’t arriving till subsequent week. Forward of the primary cargo, we’re studying extra particulars in regards to the Pixel Watch 3, notably concerning the variety of years it is going to be supported by the corporate.
What number of years Google Pixel Watch 3 will get software program updates
On the up to date assist web page (h/t 9to5Google), the Pixel Watch 3 is confirmed to get “guaranteed” Put on OS updates as much as 2027, or 3 years from its launch. This contains Put on OS upgrades and safety patches. So, if there aren’t any modifications within the Put on OS cycle, the Pixel Watch 3 will get Put on OS 8 because it debuted on Put on OS 5, which relies on Android 14.
With 3-year software program assist, this pales compared to what Samsung is providing with the Galaxy Watch 7 or Watch Extremely (overview) and the earlier Galaxy Watch fashions, that are all pledged to stand up to 4 years of updates. Even so, Apple’s smartwatches common between 4 to 5 years within the current Watch Collection and Watch Extremely fashions.
Google has not defined the rationale for a shorter software program coverage, however it’s doubtless as a result of {hardware} and the way the Pixel watches are designed. As everyone knows, the Pixel Watch 3 will not be repairable even for fundamental parts alternative just like the battery or show, which is analogous to the Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Watch.
The Pixel Watch 3 additionally retained an analogous Qualcomm SW5100 processor to final 12 months’s Pixel Watch 2 whereas in comparison with the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Extremely operating on a brand new and snappier Exynos W1000 processor. This might end in the Pixel Watch 3’s chip getting outdated or sluggish earlier.
It is a stark distinction to the Google Pixel handsets which are supported by prolonged {hardware} and self-service repairs, simply prolonging their serviceability. That is then matched by a wealthy software program coverage, lasting as much as 7 years.
However as famous, the coverage was solely talked about as a “guaranteed” assist, so there is a risk that Google would nonetheless give additional software program updates sooner or later.
What are your ideas on the supposed 3-year software program assist for the Pixel Watch 3? Do you suppose this size is value its high-end worth? We need to hear your solutions within the feedback.